Viktor Khristenko (file photo) (ITAR-TASS)
PRAGUE, May 17, 2006 (RFE/RL) -- Russia has called on members of the Group of Eight (G8) most industrialized nations to adopt a common plan to guarantee global energy security.

Russian Industry and Energy Minister Viktor Khristenko said in a statement, posted on the website of Russia's G8 chairmanship, that Russia hopes that at the St. Petersburg summit in July, G8 leaders will engage in "a serious dialogue" and "will not let the specter of the Cold War undermine common goals."

Khristenko rejected as misplaced criticism in the West that Russia is using its energy resources for political manipulation. He said Russia was seeking to end the Soviet-era policy of subsidizing energy supplies to former Soviet republics "not for political, but for economic reasons."

He said developed nations have to "follow common rules."

Caspian Energy Special

For a complete archive of RFE/RL's coverage of energy issues in the Caspian Sea region and Russia, click here.

HOW MUCH OIL? The U.S. Energy Information Administration has estimated that the Caspian could hold between 17 billion and 33 billion barrels of proven oil. ("Proven reserves" are defined by energy experts to be 90 percent probable.) Other experts estimate the Caspian could hold "possible reserves" of up to 233 billion barrels of oil. ("Possible reserves" are considered to be 50 percent probable.) By comparison, Saudi Arabia has 261 billion barrels of oil and the United States 23 billion...(more)